It's games like this that actually motivate me to write on here. Syracuse did not deserve to win, but they still almost pulled out the game. Unfortunately, another Brandon League wild pitch let the eventual winning run score in the 11th. League has had great stuff, but his control has been downright awful at times. He had two wild pitches tonight for, I believe, a total five so far in only 32 innings with Syracuse. But I can't blame League for the loss. The game should have never gone as far as it did. In the ninth inning, Wayne Lydon reached on a single. The next was one to baffle the whole crowd, but alas is typical Doug Davis managing. Buck Coats came up to bat. Coats is Syracuse's second best hitter. The first pitch was a hit and run attempt hit foul. Fine, I like that decision. The problem is, the next pitch was bunt foul and apparently Coats was given the bunt signal with TWO strikes. That's right, you have your fastest player on 1st, one of your best hitters at bat, and you have him BUNT. There is little chance of a double play with Lydon and a nearly as fast Coats. This is about the third or fourth time I have seen Davis have a player bunt with two strikes. Does he trust his players that little to put the ball into play by swinging? Or does he think that every single one of his players is a master at bunting. Let's also not forget that apparently every player runs a 4.4 40 yard dash in Davis' eyes, since he's sent runners home whom had no reason to be tagging up in some of the situations they have. Anyways, Coats bunts it foul and Syracuse ends up scoring nothing in the inning.
My biggest rant is another thing I have picked up on from Davis. I have heard heckling from around me on the 1st base side. Nothing profane, nothing personal, just comments on decisions he has made..mostly the things I outlined in the previous paragraph. His reaction twice this series was to make a talking hand motion and then to point over to a spot next to the dugout. Now, is he challenging said hecklers to a fight? I have a feeling we know why Davis had no success as a player. He apparently cannot take criticism or block out the crowd. I wonder how Davis would react to reading half of my entries? Will he be sending me a nasty email challenging me? I have to wonder if he'd go Charlie Manuel if we actually had any news stations or newspapers covering the games hardcore like most other cities would. Unfortunately, I have a very hard time envisioning this team reaching the playoffs with Davis at the helm.
Anyways.... what's up with Russ Adams lately? He's on an 0 for 17 slump, 3 for 29 dating back to May 29th. Here's to hoping that the change of scenery helps him on the road trip.
I have to think that maybe the 6th inning could have been avoided if Bill Murphy had been on a shorter leash. He had a total of 6 walks and looked like his stuff wasn't so great the whole night. Syracuse was lucky to only give up 2 runs in the 6th.
Pawtucket won, Scranton lost, and Louisville won tonight. This puts Syracuse still 1/2 game out of first, but holding onto the wild card by 1/2 over Pawtucket and Louisville.
Syracuse starts an 11 game road trip tomorrow. They play division leading Scranton for 3, while travelling to these same Columbus Clippers for 4, and Toledo for 4 games. These are must win games, as Columbus and Toledo are teams that could end up battling for the wild card (though Toledo is currently leading their division.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Syracuse Wins 17-10. No Not The Orange...
You know it was a wild game when every starter from both teams had a hit. You know it was a wild game when in consecutive half innings, each team batted around and scored 8 and 7 runs respectively. You know it was a wild game when Columbus first baseman Larry Broadway pitched for his second outing in a row. That was your game Thursday night between Syracuse and Columbus. Simply unbelievable after an almost embarrassing situation the night before. On Wednesday, Syracuse has an 8-1 lead before giving up five runs in a 9th inning that had the go ahead run at the plate for the Clippers before Syracuse got the final out.
Well, on Thursday Syracuse jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first two innings. After Columbus brought it to 6-3, Syracuse had a 2 run inning followed by an 8 run inning to make it 16-3. In historic Syracuse fashion, it was 16-10 by the end of the Clippers' next at bats. Luckily, that was as close as it would get.
I think Syracuse was fortunate that the Clippers looked to be conserving pitching. Their starter, Bobby Brownlie, was kept in the game into the sixth inning, while giving up a total of ten runs. Of course, his relief was not so good as Chris Schroder gave up four runs in a third of an inning and Chris Booker did not get an out from either of the batters he faced. Booker's last pitch was hit over the center field wall by Erik Kratz for a grand slam. Go figure, though, once infielder Larry Broadway came in to relieve, Syracuse's bats cooled off a bit. In Broadway's two appearances, he went a total of three and two thirds innings, while only giving up two hits and one run (both Thursday night).
Three Stars of the Game:
#3 Adam Lind - Lind went 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs. He did most of his damage early in the game, with a two run double in the 1st, while singling home the run in the second. These plays helped put Syracuse in the 6-0 early lead that put Columbus back into a corner. Lind also gets bonus points for getting a double off Broadway, which is more than pretty much the whole lineup could do against the position player.
#2 Erik Kratz - It didn't seem so important at the time, but Kratz's grand slam to put Syracuse up 16-3 ended up being more meaningful than just a stat booster. Those four runs made the Clippers seven run rally merely cut the lead to 6, instead of 2. Kratz ended up 2 for 5, having doubled earlier in the game.
#1 David Smith - Smith's two run homer to make the game 5-0 in the first was just the start of things for his Thursday night. The DH also had a two run single in the huge 6th inning, as well as another homer in the 8th. Overall, he was 3 for 5 with 3 runs and 5 RBI. It's not just the stats, but the situations that were great. In the sixth, he came up with the bases loaded and one out. A bad swing here could have easily ended the inning. Clutch hitting, as well as the bonus point of scoring the only run off Broadway.
Syracuse is still a half game out of first in the division, behind Scranton/Wilkes Barre. The Chiefs do hold a game and half lead for the wild card over Pawtucket and Louisville. Obviously, it's too early to pay that much attention, but it's not like we are used to it here in Syracuse.
Well, on Thursday Syracuse jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first two innings. After Columbus brought it to 6-3, Syracuse had a 2 run inning followed by an 8 run inning to make it 16-3. In historic Syracuse fashion, it was 16-10 by the end of the Clippers' next at bats. Luckily, that was as close as it would get.
I think Syracuse was fortunate that the Clippers looked to be conserving pitching. Their starter, Bobby Brownlie, was kept in the game into the sixth inning, while giving up a total of ten runs. Of course, his relief was not so good as Chris Schroder gave up four runs in a third of an inning and Chris Booker did not get an out from either of the batters he faced. Booker's last pitch was hit over the center field wall by Erik Kratz for a grand slam. Go figure, though, once infielder Larry Broadway came in to relieve, Syracuse's bats cooled off a bit. In Broadway's two appearances, he went a total of three and two thirds innings, while only giving up two hits and one run (both Thursday night).
Three Stars of the Game:
#3 Adam Lind - Lind went 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs. He did most of his damage early in the game, with a two run double in the 1st, while singling home the run in the second. These plays helped put Syracuse in the 6-0 early lead that put Columbus back into a corner. Lind also gets bonus points for getting a double off Broadway, which is more than pretty much the whole lineup could do against the position player.
#2 Erik Kratz - It didn't seem so important at the time, but Kratz's grand slam to put Syracuse up 16-3 ended up being more meaningful than just a stat booster. Those four runs made the Clippers seven run rally merely cut the lead to 6, instead of 2. Kratz ended up 2 for 5, having doubled earlier in the game.
#1 David Smith - Smith's two run homer to make the game 5-0 in the first was just the start of things for his Thursday night. The DH also had a two run single in the huge 6th inning, as well as another homer in the 8th. Overall, he was 3 for 5 with 3 runs and 5 RBI. It's not just the stats, but the situations that were great. In the sixth, he came up with the bases loaded and one out. A bad swing here could have easily ended the inning. Clutch hitting, as well as the bonus point of scoring the only run off Broadway.
Syracuse is still a half game out of first in the division, behind Scranton/Wilkes Barre. The Chiefs do hold a game and half lead for the wild card over Pawtucket and Louisville. Obviously, it's too early to pay that much attention, but it's not like we are used to it here in Syracuse.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Breaking Trade News: Kevin Melillo for Cash
According to the transaction log at MLB.com, Toronto has traded for infielder Kevin Melillo. In return, the Oakland Athletics will receive cash considerations. The Blue Jays also outrighted Hector Luna to Syracuse.
Melillo played 38 games with the Sacramento Rock Cats of the Pacific Coast League. He batted .260 with 5 homers and 17 RBIs. He's a left handed batter, primarily used as a second baseman. Melillohas been optioned to Syracuse.
This pickup will most likely ensure that Marcos Cabral will be sent down. In fact, he has not been on the official roster for Syracuse the past two days, however, I saw him in uniform during Wednesday's game. He's currently listed with Dunedin.
Melillo played 38 games with the Sacramento Rock Cats of the Pacific Coast League. He batted .260 with 5 homers and 17 RBIs. He's a left handed batter, primarily used as a second baseman. Melillohas been optioned to Syracuse.
This pickup will most likely ensure that Marcos Cabral will be sent down. In fact, he has not been on the official roster for Syracuse the past two days, however, I saw him in uniform during Wednesday's game. He's currently listed with Dunedin.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Update For The Week
Busy times and the road trip leave me with very little time and things to write about, but I will do a quick catch up.
We'll start with the most recent moves that consist of Curtis Thigpen being recalled by Toronto to replace Gregg Zaun who was placed on the DL.
Speaking of DL, Syracuse infielder Pedro Lopez, as well as Matt Watson were both placed on the 7-day DL.
Things get more interesting as Hector Luna is returned to Syracuse, while my prediction came true about three weeks too late and Al Quintana makes his yearly jump from playing sporadically in Single-A Dunedin to joining the Syracuse roster. The more surprising move, however, is Danny Sandoval joining the Chiefs. At this point, having not listened to any game recently, I have no clue what transpired to bring Sandoval here. Joining Sandoval's former team, the Buffalo Bisons, is former Syracuse infielder Jorge Velandia. Interesting.
The Chiefs also get a rehab assignment, with relief pitcher Brian Wolfe trying to come back from his injury with the Blue Jays.
In an unfortunate tragedy, Geremi Gonzalez passed away in his homeland of Venezuela after being struck by lightning. This marks the second player from the 2007 Chiefs squad to have tragedy strike. Gonzalez pitched for Syracuse the opening month or so, before going to play in Japan. Gonzalez was 33.
Syracuse finishes its road trip Thursday at Richmond.
We'll start with the most recent moves that consist of Curtis Thigpen being recalled by Toronto to replace Gregg Zaun who was placed on the DL.
Speaking of DL, Syracuse infielder Pedro Lopez, as well as Matt Watson were both placed on the 7-day DL.
Things get more interesting as Hector Luna is returned to Syracuse, while my prediction came true about three weeks too late and Al Quintana makes his yearly jump from playing sporadically in Single-A Dunedin to joining the Syracuse roster. The more surprising move, however, is Danny Sandoval joining the Chiefs. At this point, having not listened to any game recently, I have no clue what transpired to bring Sandoval here. Joining Sandoval's former team, the Buffalo Bisons, is former Syracuse infielder Jorge Velandia. Interesting.
The Chiefs also get a rehab assignment, with relief pitcher Brian Wolfe trying to come back from his injury with the Blue Jays.
In an unfortunate tragedy, Geremi Gonzalez passed away in his homeland of Venezuela after being struck by lightning. This marks the second player from the 2007 Chiefs squad to have tragedy strike. Gonzalez pitched for Syracuse the opening month or so, before going to play in Japan. Gonzalez was 33.
Syracuse finishes its road trip Thursday at Richmond.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Roster Moves
According to the Chiefs roster, Toronto has added two players to the Syracuse Chiefs. These players are infielders Chris Gutierrez and Jeff Bannon
Gutierrez comes up to Syracuse from Double-A New Hampshire, where he hit .239 with 1 home run and 8 RBIs. Gutierrez had been used sparingly by the Fisher Cats, only playing in 21 games this year.
Bannon was most recently on the Durham Bulls, who released him within the past week. He hit .241 with 4 home runs and 8 RBIs in 17 games. Don't get too excited over those home run numbers, as he only hit 4 in 2007 with Louisville in 93 games. He had shown in previous years to have power, but that disappeared in the two seasons prior to this.
These moves most likely come due to Toronto noticing that the only infielder playing their "natural" position during their last game were Marcos Cabral and Russ Adams, with Adams ironically being turned into an outfielder by Toronto. Matt Watson (an outfielder) was playing first, Chip Cannon (a first baseman) was playing shortstop, while third base was split between Curtis Thigpen (a catcher) and Cabral (a second baseman without much of an arm, at least that I've seen).
Syracuse is at Durham tonight, starting an eight game road trip.
Gutierrez comes up to Syracuse from Double-A New Hampshire, where he hit .239 with 1 home run and 8 RBIs. Gutierrez had been used sparingly by the Fisher Cats, only playing in 21 games this year.
Bannon was most recently on the Durham Bulls, who released him within the past week. He hit .241 with 4 home runs and 8 RBIs in 17 games. Don't get too excited over those home run numbers, as he only hit 4 in 2007 with Louisville in 93 games. He had shown in previous years to have power, but that disappeared in the two seasons prior to this.
These moves most likely come due to Toronto noticing that the only infielder playing their "natural" position during their last game were Marcos Cabral and Russ Adams, with Adams ironically being turned into an outfielder by Toronto. Matt Watson (an outfielder) was playing first, Chip Cannon (a first baseman) was playing shortstop, while third base was split between Curtis Thigpen (a catcher) and Cabral (a second baseman without much of an arm, at least that I've seen).
Syracuse is at Durham tonight, starting an eight game road trip.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Syracuse Squeezes Out Extra Inning Victory
Finally, I have become a baseball manager! Well, not quite, but I was the one screaming for the squeeze play during Russ Adams' at bat, before he showed bunt. I'm not sure if it was a coincidence (bare in mind Doug Davis is not a very big risk taker and Adams didn't show bunt on the first pitch), but it was a beautifully executed play. In fact, I was amazed that after the first two shows of bunt, that Rochester's manager didn't move his 3rd baseman to at least a normal position (he was very far from the 3rd base line). But no changes occurred and Russ Adams laid a beauty down the 3rd base line, squeezing home the winning run..with 2 outs no less.
It was a pitcher's duel for the majority of the game, with starters David Purcey and Francisco Liriano pitching masterful games. Purcey left the game after pitching 6 good shutout innings, while Liriano went 7 innings, giving up 2 runs (both of which in the 7th). Syracuse turned the relief duties to Brandon League who pitched well, until the 9th inning where he gave up two runs and was only able to get one out before being replaced. Things settled down after that until the game winning sequence for Syracuse.
It all started with Wayne Lydon getting a single on an infield chopper. Buck Coats was up next and executed a poor bunt. The pitcher came off the mound to field it and threw to second base. The throw would have beat Lydon but was a bit wild, pulling the fielder off second base, allowing both runners to be safe. After an Adam Lind pop out, Matt Watson hit a grounder to the first baseman, whom was only able to get the force at 1st. Russ Adams was then up, which was his first at bat in a few days, as he seems to have been nursing a minor injury. Adams had been brought in as a fielding substitute to start the 9th.
After the game, I saw Rochester outfielder Denard Span return from getting X-rays. He took a pitch off his finger on a bunt attempt late in the game. I don't want to speculate, but he did not seem very happy about the outcome.
It was a bit fun having people in my section look at me with awe as the Chiefs won the game, then slap me five for my great call. Yes, I will pat myself on the back once in awhile!
After an off day on Wednesday, Syracuse hits the road to face Norfolk on Thursday.
It was a pitcher's duel for the majority of the game, with starters David Purcey and Francisco Liriano pitching masterful games. Purcey left the game after pitching 6 good shutout innings, while Liriano went 7 innings, giving up 2 runs (both of which in the 7th). Syracuse turned the relief duties to Brandon League who pitched well, until the 9th inning where he gave up two runs and was only able to get one out before being replaced. Things settled down after that until the game winning sequence for Syracuse.
It all started with Wayne Lydon getting a single on an infield chopper. Buck Coats was up next and executed a poor bunt. The pitcher came off the mound to field it and threw to second base. The throw would have beat Lydon but was a bit wild, pulling the fielder off second base, allowing both runners to be safe. After an Adam Lind pop out, Matt Watson hit a grounder to the first baseman, whom was only able to get the force at 1st. Russ Adams was then up, which was his first at bat in a few days, as he seems to have been nursing a minor injury. Adams had been brought in as a fielding substitute to start the 9th.
After the game, I saw Rochester outfielder Denard Span return from getting X-rays. He took a pitch off his finger on a bunt attempt late in the game. I don't want to speculate, but he did not seem very happy about the outcome.
It was a bit fun having people in my section look at me with awe as the Chiefs won the game, then slap me five for my great call. Yes, I will pat myself on the back once in awhile!
After an off day on Wednesday, Syracuse hits the road to face Norfolk on Thursday.
Tracy Thorpe To Tacoma, Velandia Gone.
A quick update on Tracy Thorpe. It appears he was picked up by the Seattle Mariners and is now with their Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. It's a shame to see yet another player gone in a pretty long string of players being exposed and taken by waivers and Toronto not doing much to replace them.
As for Jorge Velandia, he has opted to become a free agent rather than take his assignment to Syracuse. I have to wonder what changed within the past month to make Velandia so interested in not coming back to Syracuse. All I know, is Syracuse needs something done about its lack of depth, proven by certain situations during games this series, which I will probably touch upon in my next blog.
As for Jorge Velandia, he has opted to become a free agent rather than take his assignment to Syracuse. I have to wonder what changed within the past month to make Velandia so interested in not coming back to Syracuse. All I know, is Syracuse needs something done about its lack of depth, proven by certain situations during games this series, which I will probably touch upon in my next blog.
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